What the commission didn’t provide was quantitative proof that such an arrangement would actually improve the development of up-and-coming players, although similar structures in Germany and Spain have worked to the advantage of big clubs, such as Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

13. Andre Wisdom, Liverpool

Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

Liverpool’s Andre Wisdom is one of England’s brighter defensive prospects (primarily a right-back, he can also play across the back line) and has represented his country at U-16, U-17, U-19 and U-20 levels.

After featuring in a pair of Premier League matches for the Reds, he went on loan to Derby County, where he has started 34 matches.

1. Wilfried Zaha, Manchester United

Richard Sellers/Getty Images

He is erratic, immature and in danger of having his development not only stall but also go up in smoke.

In other words, Manchester United’s Wilfried Zaha is exactly the sort of player the FA commission’s B-squad system would be intended to help along, and no doubt the 21-year-old would benefit from the guidance of a bolstered developmental setup while playing at a competitive level against his peers.

Zaha has spent the second half of the current season on loan at Cardiff City, where he has been a massive disappointment.